Wanted: Better skills, not wages

Jeff Sayer, director of Idaho’s Department of Commerce, says the notion that a minimum wage in Idaho should be a livable wage “scares me to death.” He agrees that Idaho’s economy cannot grow with low wages, but says that raising the minimum wage would create more problems than it would solve. The problem in Idaho is finding workers with the skill level to meet the employment demand. “If we want to raise the wages, we need to raise the skill levels,” Sayer said. “I’ve talked with many business leaders and just about everyone says the No. 1 problem is finding the talent. We have tons of jobs out there, but employers can’t find people to fill them. Instead of imposing a cost on businesses, we need to help provide them with what they need. If we can do that, then everybody wins.” Yet, the public sentiment is strong for raising the minimum wage/ Chuck Malloy , Idaho Politics Weekly. More here .

Question: Do you agree with Commerce Department Director Jeff Sayer that a better skill set among Idaho workers will increase wages for them?